Commited To The Cause

GARY O'NEIL has committed his long-term future to Boro and cannot wait for the season to start.

There had been intense speculation over the summer linking the talented midfielder with a move away from the Riverside but O'Neil is now very settled on Teesside.

"We had a baby who was two months old when the move came about and I was told in a day that I was going from one end of the country to the other, which was difficult," he explained.

"But no excuses, that's part of being a footballer, and thankfully it's all sorted now. We are very settled and it's going to be a good season.

"I'm nearly there with the injury. I'm joining in some bits of training with the lads, doing a little bit of contact but not being allowed in the games just yet."

Gary O'Neil - Photo-North News and Pictures

O'Neil started off the season in magnificent form but struggled to find the same level of performance after Christmas.

"I had a difficult spell towards the end of last season. But I never stopped enjoying my football and I was desperate to sort the situation out. Thankfully we have and I'm pleased I'm going to be here this year.

"I think I got tired halfway through the season but now I'm hopefully going to try and get back to full fitness after my knee injury.

"It's been a good pre-season for me so far and now that I'm happy and settled, it will get me back to where I want to be."

The former England U21 skipper suffered a serious lateral knee ligament injury in the 1-1 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane in April.

Boro players protest to referee Steve Bennett - Photo by PA Photos

After undergoing surgery it was expected that O'Neil would miss the start of this season but rehabilitation has gone better than expected.

"It's been a lot quicker than I thought. We were told four of five months to start with and it's been three of four days over three months so I'm a long way ahead.

"If everything goes well I can maybe play 20 minutes of the second friendly in Portugal and if not then the one after that."